Tethering system for personal electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A tethering system according to the present invention comprises a housing having front and back surfaces and a tether internal to the housing. A spring is also internal to the housing and arranged to allow the tether to be extended from the tether housing against the force of the spring, with the spring urging the tether to retract into the housing. A mounting apparatus is included on the back surface of the tether housing and is arranged to mount the tether housing to a person. A holstering system is included on the front surface of the tether housing and arranged to allow a personal device to be mounted to the tether housing with the tether attached to the personal device. The tether is extendable to allow use of the personal device by the person. The spring and tether also preventing the personal device from falling to the ground.

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No.60/459,777 to Salentine et al., which was filed on Apr. 1, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to securing hand held personal articlesand more particularly for tethering personal electronic devices such ascell phones, pagers and PDA'S.

2. Description of the Related Art

Personal hand held electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, andPDA's have become very popular in recent years. These devices aredesigned to be highly portable and capable of being carried by theirowners throughout the day. When not in use, it is desirable to keepthese devices conveniently within arms reach while at the same time nothaving to hold the devices. They can be held on the owner's body by aclip mount, holster or storage pocket. For example, cell phones made byNokia can come with a clip mount that attaches to the user's belt orwaste band and has a notch that mates with a pivoting ball on the backof the phone. The ball is inserted within the notch and the ball andnotch combination holds the phone to the clip mount.

One disadvantage of most conventional clip mounts, holsters and storagepockets, is that the electronic device that they are holding can bejarred loose and fall to the ground where it can be lost or damaged.Also, when the electronic devices are removed from their clip mount,holster or storage pocket for use, they can be dropped. This can alsoresult in the devices being lost or damaged.

Retractable tether apparatuses are available that have a line/tetherthat can be pulled from the apparatus' housing and when released, theline/tether automatically retracts into the housing. These apparatusescan be used with hand held electronic devices to prevent them fromfalling to the ground if they are dropped or jarred loose. One suchdevice is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,137 to Poulson and comprisesa leash attached to the cell phone case and a spring retractable leashcord in a housing pivotally attached to the user's belt. Thisarrangement helps prevent dropping and damage to a cell phone in a caseclipped to the belt. The leash housing is pivotally attached to alocking belt hook that cannot easily be accidentally removed.

One disadvantage of these apparatuses is that they comprise a separatedevice that is usually mounted to user adjacent to the mounting pointfor the electronic device. This results in an additional device that ismounted to the body, that is then attached to the electronic device thatis also mounted to the body by a separate clip mount, holster or storagepocket. This arrangement can be bulky and difficult to use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,257 discloses a swivel belt clip with bi-directionalaction, comprising a releasable holder for a portable communicationdevice that includes a base clip adapted to secure to a belt in ahorizontal orientation. An article clip is secure to a portablecommunication device. The base clip includes a channel and a locking tabextends into an opening in the channel bottom. Two user engageablerelease tabs adjacent the channel opposite ends are adapted to move thelocking tab in response to movement of one release tab toward the other.The article clip includes a locking head adapted to slide in thechannel, with the locking head adapted to receive the locking tab whenthe two are aligned to hold the article in the clip. Movement of therelease tabs disengage the locking tab from the locking head so that thearticle can be removed from the clip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a tethering system according to the present inventioncomprises a tether housing having an internal tether that is extendablefrom the tether housing under a pulling force and retracts into saidtether housing when the pulling force is removed. A mounting apparatusis included that is integral to the tether housing and arranged to mountthe tether housing. A holstering system is included and is integral tothe tether housing and arranged to allow a personal device to be mountedto the tether housing with the tether attached to the personal device.The tether is extendable to allow use of the personal device while alsopreventing the personal device from falling to the ground when thetether housing is mounted.

Another embodiment of a tethering system according to the presentinvention comprises a housing having front and back surfaces and atether internal to the housing. A spring is also internal to the housingand arranged to allow the tether to be extended from the tether housingagainst the force of the spring, with the spring urging the tether toretract into the housing. A mounting apparatus is included on the backsurface of the tether housing and is arranged to mount the tetherhousing to a person. A holstering system is included on the frontsurface of the tether housing and arranged to allow a personal device tobe mounted to the tether housing with the tether attached to thepersonal device. The tether is extendable to allow use of the personaldevice by the person. The spring and tether also prevents the personaldevice from falling to the ground.

These and other further features and advantages of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a security tetheringsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the security tethering system inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a securitytethering system according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the internal components of oneembodiment of a security tethering system according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 shows the internal components of one embodiment of a retractabletether apparatus according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved security-tethering systemthat can be used in many different applications, but is particularlyadapted for use with hand held personal electronic devices. FIGS. 1 and2 show one embodiment of a new security tethering system 10 according tothe present invention that generally comprises a retractable tetherapparatus 12 that is integral with a hand-held electronic deviceholstering system 14. The system also has an integral belt or waste bandattachment element, to mount the system 10 to a belt or waste band, withthe preferred attachment element being a belt clip.

In the tethering system 10, the holstering attachment 14 can be arrangedin many different ways and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, generallycomprises an elevated slot sized to hold a pivoting ball within theslot. This type of arrangement is similar to the holstering attachmentin Nokia type mounting systems that are known in the art. The holsteringattachment is compatible with the pivoting ball that is typicallyattached on the back of Nokia phones as part of the phone's holsteringsystem. It should be understood that many different holsteringattachments could also be used with different security tethering systemsin accordance with the present invention.

The system's retractable tether apparatus 12 has a housing 16 thathouses the line/tether (“tether”) that protrudes from the housingthrough opening 17. The housing 16 also includes an internal spring thatbiases the tether to retract back into the housing 16. A lanyardattachment 18 (shown in FIG. 2) is attached to the end of the tether toprevent the tether from fully retracting into the housing 16. The tethercan be pulled and extended from the housing 16 against the bias of theinternal spring, and automatically retracts into the housing 16 when thepulling force is released.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the lanyard attachment 18 canretract with the tether until it abuts against the housing 16. The sideof the housing 16 opposite the holstering system 14 comprises a clip 19for mounting the tethering system 10 to a user, such as to the user'sbelt, top of the user's pants or to one of the user's pockets. It shouldbe understood, however, that many different mounting mechanisms can beused to mount the tethering system to many different locations on auser.

It can be appreciated that tethering systems according to the presentinvention incorporate a retractable tether apparatus 12 and electronicdevice holstering system 14 in one assembly, with the holstering system14 being integral with one of the surfaces of the retractable tether'shousing 16. The tethering system 10 can be mounted on the user's belt orwaste band and an electronic device can be mounted to the holsteringsystem 14 so that the electronic device is securely mounted to thetethering system 10. The tether from the retractable tether apparatus 12is attached to the electronic device and retracts from the tetherhousing 16 when the electronic device is in use. If the electronicdevice is dropped during use or is jarred from the holstering system 14,the tether does not retract from the tether apparatus 12 under theweight of the electronic device. This prevents the electronic devicefrom falling to the ground. By incorporating the holstering system andtether into one device, a tethering system is provided that is lessbulky and easier to use.

FIG. 3 shows a personal electronic device 20 mounted to a tetheringsystem according to the present invention, with the tethering systemmounted to a user's belt 22. The tethering system is hidden between theelectronic device 22 and the user with a lanyard loop 24 running fromthe lanyard attachment 26 to the electronic device 20. In otherembodiments according to the present invention, the electronic device 22can connect directly to the lanyard attachment 18. The lanyard loop 24can be a string, rope or other length of flexible and durable materialthat is attached at one end to the lanyard attachment 18 and at theother end to the electronic device 20, which in this case is a cellphone. An attachment ring 28 can be included on the electronic device 20as the attachment point for the lanyard loop 24.

The lanyard loop 24 provides for a section of line between theelectronic device 20 and lanyard attachment 18 so that the tether can bein its fully retracted position when the electronic device 20 is mountedto the system 10, while at the same time not placing tension on lanyardloop 24. This allows the electronic device 20 to be mounted to thetethering system without placing stress on the tether or lanyardattachment 18 and not pulling the electronic device 20 from theholstering system on the tethering system housing. This makes the system10 easier and more convenient to use and extends the life of the systemcomponents.

The lanyard loop 24 can be attached to the electronic device indifferent ways such as to a ring on the device's protective case, ordirectly to the pivoting ball connector type mount. In electronicdevices that do not have these attachment features, the lanyard loop 24can be attached in other ways according to the present invention.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, tethering systems according to thepresent invention allow personal electronic devices to be easily andconveniently used, while at the same time providing an arrangement thatsecurely attaches the phone to a user when it is not in use. Forexample, the tethering system can be mounted to the user's belt clip 19with holstering attachment 14 on the outside surface of the housing 16.The personal electronic device, such as a cell phone, can include apivoting ball on its back surface that is compatible with the holsteringattachment 14. The electronic device is then mounted to the system 10 bymating the pivoting ball with the holstering attachment 14. The cellphone is held out of the way while still being within arms reach. If thecell phone is jarred from the holstering attachment 14, the weight ofthe cell phone will not retract the tether and the cell phone hangs fromthe system 10 by the lanyard loop 20. This arrangement prevents thedevice from falling to the ground.

The holstering system 14 can also include a holds pin, which is known inthe art and is arranged to holds the pivoting ball within the holsteringsystem 14. To remove the cell phone from the holstering system 14 foruse, a lever on the attachment 14 is activated to retract the pin andrelease the pivoting ball. The phone can then be removed from theholstering system 14 and pulled to the user's ear. The tether is pulledfrom the retractor housing 16 under the pulling force, but the tensionrequired to extend the tether is not so great that it interferes withthe use of the phone. If the phone is dropped at any point during isuse, the tether prevents it from falling to the ground. When the phoneis done being used it is moved back to the tethering system 10 where itcan be remounted in the holstering system 14. The tether automaticallyretracts into the housing. When not in use, the device is securelymounted to the front of the tethering system.

During use of the tethering system 10 the lanyard attachment 18 andtether extend upward from the housing, which is particularly convenientfor devices that are used above the mounting point of the system 10,such as with cell phones. In other embodiments, the line/tether canprotrude outward from the housing and away from the user, which isparticularly convenient for devices used at approximately the sameheight as the mounting point for the tethering system 10. For example,when a PDA is used it is held in front of the user, which can be morecompatible with an outward protruding tether. The tethering system 10can also include a disconnect means so that the electronic device 22 canbe detached from the lanyard attachment 18. In another embodiment, thetethering system 10 is arranged so that it can also rotate about theuser's belt or waste band by the clip 19.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a tethering system 40 according tothe present invention that is similar to the system 10 and has a housing42, belt or waste band attachment element 44, tether and lanyardattachment (not shown). The pin used for retaining the pivoting ball inthe Nokia type holstering attachment 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can bedamaged if the cell phone is jarred when it is mounted to the system 10.To address this problem, the tethering system 40 includes a holsteringsystem 46 that is different from the Nokia type holstering attachment14.

The holstering system 46 is U-shaped and sized to fit the same pivotingball used for the Nokia type holstering attachments. It is, however,longer than the Nokia type attachments and does not have a retainingpin. The holstering system 46 has three mounting points to the housing42 with the first and second mounting points 48, 50 near the base ofholstering system 46, and the third attachment point 52 being at one ofthe legs of the holstering system 46. The other leg 54 is not attachedto the housing 42, but instead serves as a “living hinge” to hold thepivoting ball in the holstering system 46. As the pivoting ball passesinto the attachment 46 the pivoting ball forces the leg 54 to flex out,increasing the size of the opening in the holstering system 46. As thepivoting ball passes through the opening, the leg 54 flexes back in,reducing the size of the opening. This reduction in the size of theopening helps hold the cell phone in the holstering system 46 when thecell phone is not in use. If the jarring force is great enough to forcethe pivoting ball past the leg 54, the holstering system 46 will not bedamaged and the tether prevents the phone from falling to the ground.

Tethering system 10 and 40 also include a ratchet lock system thatallows the tether to be retracted and held at its retracted length withno retracting bias on the tether. To release the tether so that itretracts, it is pulled, which releases the ratchet lock. The housings 16and 42 each include a ratchet lock on/off lever 19, 55 that allows forthe user to disable the ratchet locking system. When the system isdisabled, the bias remains on the tether when the phone is in use.

FIG. 5 shows the internal components of one embodiment retractabletether system 60 according to the present invention that that is similarto tether system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It generally comprises firstand second housing halves 62, 64 that are mounted together to form thetether housing. A reel 66 is included in the housing upon which thetether winds under the bias and internal spring. The system 60 alsoincludes a ratchet locking lever 68 arranged to operate a ratchetlocking system 70. A holstering attachment 72 is mounted to the firsthousing half 62 by mounting screws 74.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, otherversions are possible. As described above, different holsteringattachments can be used with different electronic devices. Also,different retractable tether apparatus can be used in accordance withthe present invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould not be limited to the preferred versions in the specification.

1. A tethering system according to the present invention, comprising: atether housing having an internal tether that is extendable from saidtether housing under a pulling force, said tether retracting into saidtether housing when said pulling force is removed; a mounting apparatusintegral to said tether housing and arranged to mount said tetherhousing; a holstering system integral to said tether housing andarranged to allow a personal device to be mounted to said tether housingwith said extendable/retractable tether attached to said personaldevice, said tether being extendable to allow use of said personaldevice while also preventing said personal device from falling to theground when said tether housing is mounted.
 2. The tethering system ofclaim 1, further comprising a lanyard loop between said tether housingand said personal device, said lanyard loop allowing said personaldevice to be mounted to said housing without tension on said tether. 3.The tethering system of claim 1, further comprising a lanyard attachmentto prevent said tether from fully retracting into said tether housing.4. The tether system of claim 1, wherein said holstering systemcomprises an elevated slot arranged to receive a pivoting ball on saidpersonal device.
 5. The tethering system of claim 4, wherein saidelevated slot comprises a retractable locking pin to hold said pivotingball in said slot.
 6. The tethering system of claim 4, wherein saidelevated slot is U-shaped and one of the legs of said U-shape elevatedslot comprising a hinge to hold said pivoting ball in said slot.
 7. Thetethering system of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet lock to holdsaid tether at a desired extended length.
 8. The tethering system ofclaim 1, wherein said tether extends from said housing through a topsurface of said housing.
 9. The tethering system of claim 1, whereinsaid tether extends from said housing, through a front surface.
 10. Thetethering system of claim 1, wherein said mounting apparatus comprises amounting clip.
 11. A tethering system according to the presentinvention, comprising: a tether housing having front and back surfaces;a tether internal to said housing; a spring internal to said housing andarranged to allow said tether to be extended from said tether housingagainst the force of said spring and said spring urging said tether toretract into said housing; a mounting apparatus on the back surface ofsaid tether housing, said mounting apparatus arranged to mount saidtether housing to a person; a holstering system on the front surface ofsaid tether housing and arranged to allow a personal device to bemounted to said tether housing with said extendable/retractable tetherattached to said personal device, said tether being extendable to allowuse of said personal device by said person, said spring and tether alsopreventing said personal device from falling to the ground.
 12. Thetethering system of claim 11, further comprising a lanyard loop betweensaid tether housing and said personal device, said lanyard loop allowingsaid personal device to be mounted to said housing without tension onsaid tether.
 13. The tethering system of claim 11, further comprising alanyard attachment to prevent said tether from fully retracting intosaid tether housing.
 14. The tether system of claim 11, wherein saidholstering system comprises an elevated slot arranged to receive apivoting ball on said personal device.
 15. The tethering system of claim14, wherein said elevated slot comprises a retractable locking pin tohold said pivoting ball in said slot.
 16. The tethering system of claim14, wherein said elevated slot is U-shaped and one of the legs of saidU-shape elevated slot comprising a hinge to hold said pivoting ball insaid slot.
 17. The tethering system of claim 11, further comprising aratchet lock to hold said tether at a desired extended length.
 18. Thetethering system of claim 11, wherein said mounting apparatus comprisesa mounting clip.